Page 29 of Friends Rucked Up

“Sure.” We hit the mats, and I lead our workout. “Do the groupies still hang out in the local sports bar?”

“I don’t know, and I’m not interested in finding out.”

At least he isn’t thinking about the way Lance was looking at me. I don’t want to spend my time with Harlan trying to hook up with women. Not just because of Saylor, but also because he isn’t his true self when he’s over trying to impress.

“Do you have a girl I’m unaware of?” We move over to the weights and take turns on the equipment.

“No, I’m just happy being single.”

There’s only one woman I’m interested in and she’s off limits. Although, now we’ve kissed, I’m unsure how I’ll ever recover. It was the kiss to end all kisses, and it only cemented what I already knew. Saylor owns me, even if we can’t be together.

“Dude, I’m not going to be here very long. We should have fun. Help me reconnect with some English hotties.”

He’s a player through and through, but I’m not. When we used to go out drinking together, I mostly came home alone while Harlan went back to some girl’s house.

“When was the last time you got laid? Don’t tell me you were losing your touch in Singapore.” In a roundabout way, I’m trying to remind him he doesn’t need to fool around while he’s here.

“I had a threesome just before I left.”

I roll my eyes because he just proved my point. “You’re a dog.”

“At least my cock still works. Have you checked yours hasn’t fallen off?” he jokes.

The number of erections I’ve had over his sister is a constant reminder of how male I am, not that I can tell him that. “Don’t worry, my sex life is the way I want it to be.” Which is absolute horse crap. I want to have sex with the right person.

“Sure, it is.” We move onto the rowing machines, and Harlan matches every move I make with just as much effort.

“So, how long are you planning on staying in the U.K?” I say, trying to smoothly change the subject.

“I’m just waiting for my visa to clear, but I won’t leave before the rugby final.”

Nodding, I say, “That’s good to hear.”

I desperately want to see Saylor alone so we can discuss that kiss, but Harlan is already up in all my business. I had to hide my phone when her message came through yesterday. It almost feels like we’re sneaking around even though we’re not dating.

***

Standing beside Harlan, I wait for Saylor to answer the door. It takes her a few minutes, and she looks flustered when she finallydoes. We step into her flat, and she pulls out a few bottles of beer from the fridge. I decline the alcohol and grab a glass of water.

The arts and crafts she had scattered around her living room are neatly put away on a shelf like she’s trying to impress. If Harlan notices how clean the place is, he doesn’t mention it. He slumps down onto the sofa and puts his feet up on the coffee table.

“When did this guy get so sensible?” Harlan asks Saylor.

She finches before eyeing me for a second. Then she takes a deep breath and answers, “He’s always been like that; you’ve just been off having too much fun to notice.”

“Hey. I’m right here you know,” I say, pretending to be offended.

I’m guessing Harlan’s upset I won’t take him out on the pull, and Saylor doesn’t look too happy with me either.

“Well, it’s true,” Saylor says. “When was the last time you took a risk?” Her voice sounds light and bubbly, but her eyes hold a death glare that says she doesn’t feel that way at all.

I want to scream from the rooftops that’s exactly what I did when we kissed. Is that how these two see me? The sensible one?

“I got good grades in school. I work hard to be the best I can be at rugby, and I try to look after my body. That’s what serious athletes do. I’m not boring.”

If we were alone, I’d love to show her how interesting I can be. The thought lingers in the front of my mind. I want nothing more than to kiss her again. To feel her soft lips on mine. But if I cross that line, I’d risk losing my best friend.

We finish our drinks, and Harlan goes to use the bathroom. As soon as he’s gone, I turn all my attention on Saylor.

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